精致生活係列之三 廚房篇3 ZT

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Quick Update

In six weeks and on a modest budget, this room went from outdated to fresh and stylish. With fresh paint and a lot of added details, the homeowners turned their old space into a cozy, sunny room. Cheerful green walls coordinate with shades of yellow and tan used throughout the rest of the kitchen. A plaid fabric at the window pulls the room's color together and softens the window opening.



The homeowners purchased a sheet of stainless steel and had it cut to fit the backsplash area, and then quilted to add texture and interest. They simply glued it into place with construction adhesive. New hardware and hinges update the cabinets. The silver finish on the new pulls and handles blends well with the stainless steel appliances and backsplash.



Initially the homeowners wanted granite countertops. They liked the look of stone and its durability. Ultimately they chose an engineered stone, such as Silestone, a material made up of 93% natural minerals. Stronger than granite, it's nonporous, stain-resistant, and stands up well to the wear and tear of kitchen duties.



An organized pantry is essential. Use these tips from Mona Williams, senior merchandise director for The Container Store: Store rarely used appliances on top shelves, and reserve your most convenient shelves for items you use every day. Use turntables and tiered shelves to maximize shelf space, while bundling small items in bins or baskets. Use clear containers to store flour, sugar, or pasta. Containers that stack work well. Also, keep a step stool nearby so you can easily access high shelves in the pantry.

Modern Efficiency for Family Meals

It's a quarter to five and here's a country kitchen, modern in every way, where hearty meals are prepared for big appetites. There is a two-oven stove, a warming oven across the way, a wine cooler and no-worry concrete countertops. The kitchen has easy access to the family room and to a very large dining room.



The breakfast nook is flooded with southern light through six-over-six windows.



This coffee nook makes use of an empty corner of a large country kitchen. It has a plush chair and coffee table combination perfect for a long Sunday read.

Seeing Clearly

Caribbean-inspired decoration such as the turned pine posts on the island adds interest to this kitchen. Maple wood, finished in a linen hue, forms side cabinets. Reaching almost ceiling height, the wall units feature shelving with glass doors, a buffet counter, and open display storage below.



This cherry island, in a coffee-bean stain, features a deep commercial-grade stainless steel sink.

Finding More Space

This bungalow-style home possessed charming details and, unfortunately, a space-challenged kitchen. One change made the major difference. Moving the pantry to the breakfast area right off the kitchen allowed the refrigerator, which once stuck out into the room, to be recessed into the cabinets. To maximize storage space, the top kitchen cabinets run to the ceiling.



The new pantry, crafted from stock cabinetry, is relocated to the breakfast area. Glass doors above add detail.



This kitchen has an original look, yet the cabinets were not custom-made. Designers worked with semi-custom cabinets, which offer many of the same features without the high cost. In most cases, semi-custom cabinets are built to order, but in standard sizes and styles. The woods used are a better grade than in stock cabinets, with a variety of styles and finishes from which to choose.

2003 Idea House Kitchen

In this kitchen, the tone is set by granite counters and sleek stainless steel appliances. The custom-designed cabinets--stained dark cherry to match the red hues in the granite--include pullout corner and pantry systems. The island has a chopping-block table that can be wheeled out and used as a cart.

Update on a Budget

The kitchen is filled with ideas. Because they were so expensive, the tumbled marble tiles first selected for the backsplash were out of the running. Instead, the same effect was achieved by using ceramic tiles that resemble stone.



Like most things in this kitchen, the floor wasn't bad before, but it wasn't great either. "The floor needed some refinishing because of wear and tear, but if we did that, we would have to redo all of the downstairs flooring," says designer Jennifer Spak. "By painting the floor, we were able to delineate between the kitchen and the rest of the flooring in an appropriate manner," says the homeowner. And without all the cost. Painters tape, paint, and a stencil were all that was needed to make this simple project come to life.



The team chose copper countertops for the kitchen. The rustic appearance of the copper adds to its personality and character.



Here's a quick fix for your pantry. This team purchased the door at an outlet store. The homeowner updated one side of it with chalkboard paint, which is nice for writing reminders and chore lists. The other side was covered with a metal sheet purchased at a home-improvement store. Magnets hold photos and note cards in place.

Casual Kitchen

This kitchen design strikes a casual note, dictated in part by the bright red panel on the dishwasher. The metallic look of the dual-fuel range is carried onto the backsplash using stainless steel tiles that contrast with the black honed-granite countertop. A mix of manufactured cabinets was chosen--charcoal uppers and pewter lower ones--to show how you can achieve a distinctive look without custom cabinets. Seeded-glass fronts and open shelving make the room appear more spacious.



In the kitchen, clean lines and modern appliances make the spacious room inviting.



Enviable positioning opens the family room to the kitchen on one side and to a dramatic, bird's-eye view of land and sea on the other.